Free Protect PDF – Password Protect & Encrypt Your PDF Instantly
Add a password to open your PDF or set permissions that restrict printing, copying, and editing. Strong AES encryption. No uploads, 100% private, unlimited use.
Drop PDF here to protect
or click to browse
Single PDF file • No size limit • No upload
document.pdf
0 pages • 0 MB
The user must enter this password just to view the document.
With an owner password, you can set restrictions below. If someone opens the PDF with the user password, those restrictions still apply.
Why Protect PDFs?
Keep sensitive documents confidential and control what recipients can do with them.
Open Protection
Set a user password so only people who know the code can even view the file.
Permission Control
Disable printing, copying, and editing. The owner password lets you maintain control.
Strong Encryption
Uses AES‑128 encryption so that even if the file is intercepted, the content is scrambled.
How to Password Protect a PDF
Upload PDF
Drop your PDF in the tool
Set Passwords
Enter user and/or owner password
Choose Permissions
Tick what users can do
Download Protected PDF
Get your secure document
Frequently Asked Questions
Upload your PDF, enter a user password (to open the file) and/or an owner password (to control permissions). Set your restrictions, then click "Protect PDF". Download the encrypted file.
The user password is required just to view the document. The owner password is for you (the creator) to enforce restrictions like preventing printing or copying, even if the document is opened with the user password.
Yes. Uncheck the respective options in the permissions section. Those actions will be disabled in most PDF readers.
No. The encryption and password setting happen entirely in your browser. Your file and passwords are never transmitted.
AES‑128 bit encryption is used, which is the industry standard for PDF documents. It is very secure.